We Need to Fund Indigenous Leaders and the Time is Now

By now you are probably aware of the fires in the Amazon. What you may not know is that this comes on the heels of an unprecedented win for Indigenous sovereignty. The Waorani people of the Amazon fought for their right for self-governance against the government whose aim was to partition the land and sell to oil exploration; and they won.

Waorani community members react after the ruling [Courtesy of Amazon Frontlines]

Those same lands are now ablaze. This is genocide for the Waorani, their land, and animals and insects of the forest. The consequences of burning the ‘Lungs of Mother Earth’ will have catastrophic effects on all ecosystems on our planet. The trees themselves hold roughly 75 billion tons of carbon, which is released into the atmosphere, one that is already over burdened with carbon, as they burn.

The images of the forest burning are too violent for me to look at, and I panic trying to dig up any and all immediate resources I have to stop the destruction. The truth is, we can’t undo the devastation that’s been done. While many organizations such as Instituto Terra are crucial in the restoration of ecosystems, the best thing we can do to prevent future tragedies is to support Indigenous leaders now.

Indigenous peoples occupy a mere 22% of the earth’s land surface (and comprise 5% of the global population), but are responsible for 80% of the earth’s biodiversity. Native economies promote abundance in plant and animal species, Indigenous knowledge can help undo many of the ills of industrialization and global warming.

More than banning plastic straws, eating vegan, or living zero waste, the best way to respect the earth is to support the Indigenous communities who protect her.

If you don’t know any Indigenous causes, I implore you to explore. The internet has allowed us to expand our knowledge beyond our geographic and cultural boundaries. If you don’t know where to start, here are several incredible individuals and organizations to inspire you:

• The Native Wellness Institute promotes the wellbeing of Indigenous people through intergenerational knowledge and tradition of the ancestors. Based in Oregon, the NWI also has a movement addressing trauma and healing for people in or around their 20s. The Indigenous 20 Something Project (I20SP) facilitates personal growth and development for communities throughout North America   

• BEAR Project is a literacy and life outreach project for youth and families on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (Oglala Lakota) in South Dakota. They empower families, youth and community to make positive choices every day.

• Indigenous Women Rising provides access to abortion, sex education, breast feeding and birth justice for womxn in the Southwest. IWR creates the space for indigenous people to tell stories as an act of resistance, self love, and love for the ancestors and family.

• Well For Culture promotes Indigenous health and wellness through ancestral practices. Family Thosh, Chelsey and daughter Alo find balance by practicing wellness in the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional aspects of human existence.

• Indigenous Clean Energy support hydro, wind, solar, and biomas clean energy project in Canada through Indigenous inclusion and leadership.

Have you been inspired by any movements not mentioned above? Drop a note in the comments